Read More

Crystal Palace transfers

The Eagles boss said at the weekend that Premier League sides don't sell their best players, "the only ones you're going to buy are reserves or substitutes".

Well Newcastle United striker Aleksandar Mitrovic could be worth a punt.

Here's why:

He's actually quite good and has potential

NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 20: Dwight Gayle (l) is substituted with an injury to be replaced by Aleksander Mitrovic during the Sky Bet Championship match between Newcastle United and Aston Villa at St James' Park on February 20, 2017 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

Read More

Okay, so 17 goals in 72 games for the Magpies isn't a fantastic record. However, the striker has never really been a solidified starter.

This season, despite making seven appearances, his two goals come in 257 minutes. That's a better average than every Eagles player other than Sako this season.

To add to that, he scored nine and assisted four times during his first Premier League season where Newcastle got relegated. Again, that's not too bad.

That said, his record with the national team is much more promising than with the Magpies. He's played against top-level teams and bagged 11 goals in 33 games with nine of those coming in his last 15 appearances.

Crucially his goals often come at important moments. Twice he earned draws against Wales, and twice he scored in wins against Austria as his team qualified for the World Cup.

Read More

Back in 2013 Mitrovic was named best player of the tournament at the European Under-19 Championships when Serbia beat France to win the tournament. That tournament included Hector Bellerin, Anthony Martial, Adrien Rabiot and Benjamin Mendy.

While it may count for naught now, 44 goals in 90 appearances for Anderlecht including a couple in the Champions League, at least proves he knows where the goal is.

So Roy can work his magic

When he was younger, the forward wanted to model his game on Didier Drogba and Digeo Costa, saying of that latter, "He runs, scores, defends, is passionate and is a team player. I want to be like that."

Sounds perfect.

While the Serbian might not be setting the world on fire right now, he is still just 23.

He has strength, technical ability, determination, teamwork — all the attributes to make a quality player but he needs guidance.

Hodgson has done wonders to turn around Sako's form and confidence and his words in the press continually attempt to keep the winger grounded but also praised.

This is what Mitrovic needs.

LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 13: Roy Hodgson, Manager of Crystal Palace shows appreciation to the fans prior to the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Burnley at Selhurst Park on January 13, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

Read More

The ex-Anderlecht players' fitness coach Andreja Milutinovic, who who has worked with Internazionale, describes him as one of the most professional players he has worked with, while a Serbian journalist once joined him in training at Partizan and was struck by his silent concentration lifting weights and then in hill sprints in Kosutnjak forest in Belgrade.

The Palace boss will surely appreciate the hardworking nature of the striker and guide him on the right path.

Where Rafael Benitez simply does not trust Mitrovic's discipline, perhaps Hodgson could help him improve it.

He would like to move

As we've seen with the likes of Philipe Coutinho and Virgil Van Dijk, while clubs are less inclined to sell, when a player wants to move they generally do.

Video Loading

Video Unavailable

Click to playTap to play

The video will start in 8Cancel

Play now

Despite being partially marginalised for much of the last two seasons, Mitrovic remained quiet until December where he was interviewed by a Serbian media outlet.

He said to Zurnal: "I have persistently waited for the chance over the past months and I do not welcome it.

"I’m sorry, after all, I loved Newcastle but it’s time for me to look more myself, to find the best solution for my career.

"I tried to be honest with myself and my teammates at every training and match. And the fact that I did not get a chance is simply not up to me. Everyone knows that I was left unintentionally in the background.

"I never felt better, I'm physically in flawless form, I cannot wait to play. The most important thing is to find a club and finally get a chance in the field."

The 23-year-old has made just a single Premier League start and has not been in Newcastle's squad since early December so is clearly not in the plans of Rafael Benitez.

Perhaps the only thing that means Mitrovic has not been transferred already is the Spaniard wanting a replacement before any outgoings occur.

Serbian connections and team ethos

BELGRADE, SERBIA - OCTOBER 09: Luka Milivojevic (R) and Aleksandar Mitrovic (L) of Serbia in action during the FIFA 2018 World Cup Qualifier between Serbia and Austria at stadium Rajko Mitic on October 9, 2016 in Belgrade, . (Photo by Srdjan Stevanovic/Getty Images)

Read More

Mitrovic is often given the perception of being a liability and there is definitely a suggestion that his discipline is why Benitez has isolated him, but overall the former Partizan Belgrade player is passionate and hardworking.

After the earlier mentioned under-19s final, his coach said: "Did you see him in the final coming back to our penalty box when France were attacking – not a set piece but during open play? He is a team player. He likes to win. He even criticised some players for not doing their duties in defence, saying to one: ‘If you don’t follow your full-back again I’ll come and beat you up, understand?’"

Judging off of Saturday's performance where Sako and Wilfried Zaha continually harassed the opposition when not in possession, the above traits wouldn't be amiss at Palace.

This week Palace fans have praised Luka Milivojevic for his protection of Zaha when he was surrounded by Burnley players.

His international teammate isn't afraid to do the same.

At just 19, Mitrovic alongside Milivojevic clashed with Zlatan Ibrahimovic when Anderlecht played PSG in the Champions League.

"He swore at us in Serbian," Mitrovic said. "What did he think we were going to do? Back off?"

The relationship built from their time at Anderlecht and in the international side could aid the Geordie favourite's chances of settling well at Palace.